An apparatus according to one embodiment includes a controller configured to control writing operations to a magnetic recording tape, and logic integrated with and/or executable by the controller for causing the controller to receive a plurality of records, store datasets associated with the plurality of records in a buffer memory, and write the datasets stored in the buffer memory to the magnetic recording tape in response to a predetermined number of datasets being stored in the buffer memory. For each of the datasets being written, an end longitudinal position indicative of a physical position where the dataset is physically written to the magnetic recording tape is determined. Moreover, for each determined end longitudinal position, the end longitudinal position and an identifier of the associated dataset are stored to a table of a dataset that is to be subsequently written to the magnetic recording tape.

An apparatus according to one embodiment includes a controller configured to control writing operations to a magnetic recording tape, and logic integrated with and/or executable by the controller for causing the controller to receive a plurality of records, store datasets associated with the plurality of records in a buffer memory, and write the datasets stored in the buffer memory to the magnetic recording tape in response to a predetermined number of datasets being stored in the buffer memory. For each of the datasets being written, an end longitudinal position indicative of a physical position where the dataset is physically written to the magnetic recording tape is determined. Moreover, for each determined end longitudinal position, the end longitudinal position and an identifier of the associated dataset are stored to a table of a dataset that is to be subsequently written to the magnetic recording tape.

A system, method, and apparatus for quantification of pre-determined particles in a soil or feces sample with certain automated steps. In one aspect it includes an input station for inputting a soil or feces sample; a sieving/filtering station for separating soil or feces from particles or particle carriers, and/or separating particle carriers from particles; and a collection station for receiving the extracted particles. It can include quantification of the collected sample with an imaging station to digitally image the particles and recognize and count the particles collected. A mechanism can mechanically move the filtered particles from the sieve/filter station to the collection station. A controller can be programmed to automatically control at least certain functions of the mechanism. An optional feature includes acquisition of chemical, biological, physical, or other parameters of the sample with one or more sensors positioned or positionable at the sample.

A servomotor control device includes: a servomotor; a driven body that is driven by the servomotor; a connection mechanism that connects the servomotor and the driven body; a first position detection section that detects a position of the servomotor; a second position detection section that detects a position of the driven body; and a motor control unit, in which the motor control unit includes: a force estimation section that estimates a drive force acting on the driven body at a connection part between the connection mechanism and the driven body; a rigidity estimation section that estimates a magnitude of rigidity of the connection mechanism based on a detected position of the servomotor, a detected position of the driven body, and an estimated drive force; and a rigidity variation detection section that detects a change in rigidity of the connection mechanism, based on the estimated magnitude of rigidity.

A servomotor control device includes: a servomotor; a driven body that is driven by the servomotor; a connection mechanism that connects the servomotor and the driven body; a first position detection section that detects a position of the servomotor; a second position detection section that detects a position of the driven body; and a motor control unit, in which the motor control unit includes: a force estimation section that estimates a drive force acting on the driven body at a connection part between the connection mechanism and the driven body; a rigidity estimation section that estimates a magnitude of rigidity of the connection mechanism based on a detected position of the servomotor, a detected position of the driven body, and an estimated drive force; and a rigidity variation detection section that detects a change in rigidity of the connection mechanism, based on the estimated magnitude of rigidity.

A motor driver that supplies electrical power to a motor on a basis of a control command sent with a network communication period from a higher-level controller includes a network frame receiver that receives the control command, a user program processor that performs program processing of a user program generated by a user, a servo controller that outputs a servo control command based on the control command, and a drive controller the supplies electrical power based on the servo control command to the motor. When the user program processor performs the program processing, the user program processor starts the user program according to an activation signal generated at reception of the control command to cause the user program to perform the program processing on the control command in synchronization with timing when the network frame receiver receives the control command, and the servo controller outputs the servo control command.